Improvement in self-fastening toe-weights for horses



W. ZARTMAN. Self-Fastening Toe-Weights for Horses.

No. 220,326. Patented Oct. 7,1879.

FIG.1

FIG 8 Witnesses 6 U, Inventor N.PETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON D O.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIoE.

WILLIAM ZARTMAN, ()F PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SELF-FASTENING TOE-WEIGHTS FOR HORSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 220,326, dated October 7, 1879; application filed June 21, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM ZARTMAN, of Petaluma, county of Souoma, and State of California, have invented an Improved Self- Fastening Toe-Weight; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

Myinvention relates to an improved toeweight for horses 5 and my improvements consist in a peculiar construction of the spur or clip and weight by which the weight is firmly secured to the shoe without the necessity of using any bolts, screws, or straps to keep it in position, so that the weight is made selffastening, as is more fully described in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a view of a horseshoe with my toe-weight attached. Fig. 2 shows the toeweight removed. the weight.

' Various devices have been in use for securing toe-weights to the fore feet of horses in order to regulate the gait; but all of them, so far as I am aware, require nuts, bolts, screws, or straps to keep the weight firmly in position. Most of these devices have a clip or spur, either attached to the. shoe or fitted into a recess in it, but in securing the weight, the clip screw bolts or straps have to be curved. By the peculiar construction of my clip and weight the latter is secured on the clip solidly without any of these accessories, and will not be displaced by ordinary usage, although it can be easily when required] To the shoe A, I weld or forge the clip a, setting it at such an inclination backward as will suit the shape of the foot of the horse on which it is to be used. This clip is made with and forms part of the shoe, and is not to be removed from it. As its back portion fits snug against the hoof, it is never in the way at any time, whether the weight is in place or not, there being no space between it and the hoof. This clip I make dovetailed in its shape, so as to fit into a corresponding slot, 1), in the weight B.

Fig. 3 is an edge view of The front face of the clip is broader than the rear face, so that the sides are beveled, and the lower end is broader than the upper, or the clip made tapering from its lower to the upper end, as shown.

By making the slot in the back of the weight of precisely similar shape when said weight is dropped onto the clip, it slides down and firmly wedges itself.

The action of the horse in walking or trotting settles the weight down solidly on its clip.

The back portion or inner face of the weight is rounded or hollowed out slightly to conform to the shape of the hoof, and when in place on the clip fits snugly both on the clip and against the hoof.

The clip may be secured on the side of the shoe, if necessary, instead of in front, so that the weight may be utilized to prevent a horse interfering by making him spread his feet more or less, as required.

By the means described the weight is very firmly attached to the shoe and foot; but when it is desired to remove it a slight tap on the lower part will free it from the dovetailed clip, LllIWlllGll it may be slid and removed. With those weights which are bolted or screwed on it is necessary to always carry a screw-driver or monkey-wrench in order to be able to remove them. A tap with a pocket-knife will remove this one when struck from below. The impact, however, when on the horses foot is always downward, so there is never any fear of the weight falling off.

A'number of weights may be made for the one clip by making the weights of difierent dimensions and weights, but having all the same sized recess in the back to suit the one clip.

At stables and training places these various sized weights may be kept on hand, so as to be applied by any one desiring them.

I am aware that a shoe provided with a dovetailed clip and adapted to fit into a weight provided with a dovetailed recess, and said weight secured thereon by a screw, is old, and

down and firmly wedge or secure itself on said clip without the aid of auxiliary fastenings, substantially as herein shown and described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

. WILLIAM ZARTMAN. Witnesses CHAS. G. YALE, FRANK A. BROOKS. 

